The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-23
HASKELL WAS TO BLAME.
Minneapolis People Made a Mistake in
Burning Blethen's Eff1gy.
From the Nec York World.


MINNEAPOLIS, Oct 20.-The editorial
entitled ''Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland as Mere
People," published in the Minneapolis
Tribune on the morning after the Presi-
dents visit here, has aroused a storm of
indignation all over the country. Nearly
every paper that has mentioned the article
has connected the name of A. j. Blethen,
general manager of the Tribune, with it,
and all manner Of personal abuse has been
heaped upon him. In view of these facts,
two articles printed on the editorial page
of the Tribune this morning are of in
terest. The first bears the signature of w.
E. Haskell, the editor of the paper, and is as
follows:
that the Tribule'S recent editorial comments on
Mr. and Mrs Cleveland as mere people, have
excited considerable adverse criticism, and that
Mr. Blethen, the general manager of this paper,
has been made individually target for the
venom and abuse of business and political OPP
ponents, and the uncharitable expressions of
others, deem it my duty, in fairness and jus
tice TO him. to relieve him of a cruel and unjust
burden. The evening on which the editorial in
question was written Mr. Blethen did not APP
pear in the editorial rooms, and to my absolute
knowledge did not dictate, inspire, nor see the
article until he read it in print the next morn
ing. The article was read and passed by me,
and since the matter has wrongfully been made
one of individual responsibility desire to ac-
lication, and to relieve Mr.. Blethen of the cow
ardly and merciess persecution To which he has
been subjected WILLIAM EDWIN HASKELL"
This statement by Mr.. Haskell is fol-
lowed by card over the signature of Mr..
Blethen:
40 the Patrons of the Tribune:
Now that the authorship of the famous
Cleveland editorial is known, | believe il is
proper for me TO make some public statement
In doing this do not wish to be misunderstood.
/ am one Of three men who own the Tribune. l
am its General Manager and Treasurer, often
contribute leading articles to its editorial page,
and no Objectionable matter would be published
against my wishes But in spite of the fact of
my almost ever-presence in Minneapolis and
constant and devoted attention,to the Tribune
for the last three years, there have been many
occasions when have not been present in the
editorial rooms, and there have been many ar
tcles which have necessarily appeared in the
paper without my knowledge Now that my
partner has spoken concerning the article rela-
land to Minneapolis, and over which
such storm has been raised by
the st. Paul papers, aided largely by the lowest
elements of Minneapolis, | have to say this
personally for myself, l exceedingly regret
every word that appeared in the Tribune Of
that day so far as it related TO Mrs. Cleveland,
and had seen the article before its publication
10 word with reference to That lady would have
been published, unless of complimentary
character. The publication also, so far Us il re-
lated 10 Mrs. Cleveland, was erroneous for two
Important ItSlSOuS. luOuSD the ITcSlutul ana
his wife had planned this Western tour, which
undoubtedly had n political significance yet be
fore their visit they had been formally invited
TO come to Minnesota and the city Of Mime
apolis by tine Governor and other State officials
| and the local government Of this city. There
fore they were for the time being
guests of the city and state. and were en-
! titled to all the courtesy and hospitality
| of guests Again, no gentleman and no
newspaper can afford to make any reference to
a lady not of a complimentary character Now
that the storm has passed that the statement
elsewhere made is not the result Of force, or
violence nor of public opinion, but the calm and
candid conclusion after mature consideration on
the part of MIR Haskell, who passed the article
TO shoulder the responsibility, l desire to say
that the proprietors Of the Tribune feel that a
gross error was committed: that the public
sense of the city was outraged, and the whole
matter is most sincerely and deeply regretted
ALDEN J. BLETREN."
There have been TTumors of changes in the
TTLuhe management, on accoup: of the
Cleveland editorial ana its results. L. B.
Haskell, of the Boston Herald, one OF the
principal owners of the Tribune, and father
of willie Haskell, arrived in Minneapolis
last night. Pending his arrival nothing has
been done